New 4wd For Sale / Wanted Forum added - anything else?

[Alexlebrit]

Do we have to have vehicle specific sections yet? There seem to be comments amongst some of the bikers to move away from that as a lot of info can be common to more than one make, I can see that'd be even more likely in a 4 wheeled vehicle area.

We could split the technical section into two: vehicle preparation, and then all the other gear, which might make life a bit easier without adding too many sections into the mix and without meaning you have to pop back and forth between sections for the more general stuff, like airfliters, snorkels tyres etc.

Of course the big thing that needs to be encouraged is people titling their posts well. If you get a decent title it makes searching so much quicker. Could it be a thing a mod could do?

And if we're on about moderators (and you do a thankless task I know, I am one but not on here), could they sometimes merge topics? We've got about five running on China at the moment, all concurrent, if they were merged into one, it'd be a lot easier. I think sometimes people post rather than search (which is understandable as searching often turns up too much information). Perhaps if there's a post which relates directly to another one running they could be merged?

[lorraine]

Cornish Diety: Although is there a danger of publishing such things? Perhaps not on her.

Huh??? Please explain.

Alexlebrit and Robbert:

I think this is a great idea, a section for things common to all ie, solar showers. And then a techie section for 4x4 and THEN, another section just for 2 wd. Like, how to make your vehicle believe it has 4x4. ;-)

Lorraine

[CornishDaddy]

Hi lorraine,

Sorry all i meant was, say you have a great spot for wild camping, where no one knows about it, and no one minds you spending the odd night there, and you post here, and suddenly it becauses an overlanders breeding ground because everyone heard about it on the HUBB. And therefore ruined ........

Just a thought really

[silver G]

Now, breeding, or at least trying in my favourite wild camping spot

Sorry, very off topic

Seriously I think it's down to the individual as to whether to publicise their favourite spots but if it's just a handy place to park up for the night that would be really useful.

Lorraine and Robert, my appologies for using the term '4x4'. It really should be 4 wheels, as the forum section is called.

[lorraine]

VERY off topic, tsk, tsk, tsk. ;-)

Actually, my list is all in places where there's NO where to camp, but instead of trying a zillion kilometers, you can go here. Literally, some of the places are places where people throw rubbish, but VERY handy for a night.

Lorraine

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by silver G

using the term '4x4'. It really should be 4 wheels, as the forum section is called.

It's quite confusing IMO: the main heading is 4 wheels but all of the forums are entitled "4WD".

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by CornishDeity

Hi lorraine,

Sorry all i meant was, say you have a great spot for wild camping, where no one knows about it, and no one minds you spending the odd night there, and you post here, and suddenly it becauses an overlanders breeding ground because everyone heard about it on the HUBB. And therefore ruined ........

Just a thought really

Quite agree: we will end up with the equivalent of even more "green lane" closures (a UK issue, but it is happening also in places such as the US).

Could do with a forum for official campsites however?

[lorraine]

Well Walkabout, that's the main problem. In some countries, there are less than FIVE official campsites, and you can drive for DAYS never finding anything! It really is a huge problem. Or, I found it so driving through Central America, Colombia and Panama. VERY stressful. Which is why, pseudo garbage dumps began looking rather appealing.... :-(

Lorraine

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by lorraine

Well Walkabout, that's the main problem. In some countries, there are less than FIVE official campsites, and you can drive for DAYS never finding anything! It really is a huge problem. Or, I found it so driving through Central America, Colombia and Panama. VERY stressful. Which is why, pseudo garbage dumps began looking rather appealing.... :-(

Lorraine

Still a bit off the main thread about the 4 wheel question, but the campsite information would be even more relevant and potentially important if it has a rarity value within a particular country.
Basic campsite info for, say, Europe, can be found quite easily via the web or guidebooks (but there could still be value in a section similar to that for recommended accommodation - places that 2/4 wheel travellers have found to be good/better/best for camping facilities).

Camping guides for riding/driving in those countries that have few facilities for suchlike should be of great value, so start with them?

[stanoverlander]

I agree with keeping it simple but with a few mods.

The tech would good broken up as suggested as to have a section on vehicle preparation is i think the main thing that is missing- how about vehicle prep as a main subject but broken into 2wd / 4wd / truck ?

Whichever way its done there is always a cross over of interest and like someone said its about thread title..

[graysworld]

Firstly thanks for a great forum where I for one have found good info.

I don't think we need vehicle specific forums. Search and you will find. also there is stuff that is worth reading even if you have a different make. If it is getting too big then that is a reason for doing it though.

The for sale/wanted is a good idea.

Putting a title does make searching easier.

I agree that it should be for vehicle travel and not 4wd specific.

I am a private website critic (ha Ha) and the simpler the better I feel, minimum clicks to a destination. Also not everyone is good with computers and not everyone who uses the site speaks English as there first language.

Information is for sharing whether it is technical or a campsite. I realize that we run the risk of getting places ruined, but if we go to these places lets be the ones who look after them, pick up some rubbish etc. I have many times camped somewhere only to find the perfect spot a couple of hundred metres further up the road the next day. Considering we are not all in the same place at the same time I am sure it will be ok.

Graeme

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Alexlebrit

Do we have to have vehicle specific sections yet? There seem to be comments amongst some of the bikers to move away from that as a lot of info can be common to more than one make, I can see that'd be even more likely in a 4 wheeled vehicle area.


Of course the big thing that needs to be encouraged is people titling their posts well. If you get a decent title it makes searching so much quicker. Could it be a thing a mod could do?

And if we're on about moderators (and you do a thankless task I know, I am one but not on here), could they sometimes merge topics? We've got about five running on China at the moment, all concurrent, if they were merged into one, it'd be a lot easier. I think sometimes people post rather than search (which is understandable as searching often turns up too much information). Perhaps if there's a post which relates directly to another one running they could be merged?

Absolutely spot on!
How many threads are there in the bike tech forums about the right tyres, or the correct oil or basic suspension set up to name a few overlaps.

Merging: it would help - apart from China, there are 2 currently running about the recent kidnapping in the Sahara (not counting the one in the bar).

[Grant Johnson]

RE: merging threads - perhaps a suggestion in the website feedback forum when you think threads need to be merged - not everyone notices all of it. And I especially do not - tooooo many other things to do.

If suggesting PLEASE:

1. why?
2. WHICH threadS complete with full url!
"two threads on china" means I have to look - and look - and look ....

thanks!

Re everything else - I'm listening! keep working on it and we'll get there!

[Pumbaa]

Another useful section might be "Bush Mechanics". Not just for 4 wheels, but also for bikes.

For example, you lost your sump plug somehow and need to fix it. Did you fix it,...and how did you fix it without a spare plug? Cut a piece of wood to shape, fold a bit of material over to 'seal' and bang it in with a hammer...

Little things that you might read now, which could save you a lot of trouble while on the road when in a pickle!!!

[lorraine]

Oh, I LOVE that idea. My solar shower went kaput, so I've made one out of a inner-tube tire, using the old nozzle. Doesn't heat as well, (unless you boil the water... :-( but it DOES work.

Lorraine